Looking ahead,
we contribute to a future in view of good eyesight for all

Our sustainability strategy

Good vision and hearing are essential to our well-being, both individually and collectively. Yet, access to proper care is still out of reach for many people. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to make eye and hearing care accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Sustainability plays a vital role in achieving this mission. We have developed a strategy that focuses on the issues that matter most to our business and stakeholders.  

Our sustainability strategy enables us, together with our retail labels, to make responsible choices every day, creating a positive impact for people, the planet, and society. Our mission is the foundation of everything we do and stand for. Based on this, we have identified four key focus areas (our ambitions) that form the backbone of our corporate strategy. These will guide us in building a more inclusive and sustainable future.  

Sustainability Ambition report 2024

Our Sustainability Ambition Report 2024, ‘Sustainable growth in sight’ outlines the progress we made at nexeye in delivering on our sustainability ambition throughout the year. As we continue to grow, we aim to increase our positive contribution to society while remaining mindful of our environmental impact. We strive to be as transparent as possible in sharing our journey, and we invite you to read the report to learn more.

MAKE EYE AND HEARING CARE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE

At nexeye, we make high-quality eye and hearing care affordable and accessible for everyone through our value-for-money strategy. We offer excellent products and services at competitive prices, while ensuring all items meet recognized quality standards. Our private label frames follow strict quality processes and we partner with third parties like QIMA to test products against global benchmarks.

We also support people with limited access to care. Together with Nationaal Fonds Kinderhulp, Dokters van de Wereld/Médecins du Monde, and the Starkey Hearing Foundation, we help provide essential eyewear and hearing care to those in need. In partnership with Nationaal Fonds De Zonnebloem, we’re working to improve wheelchair accessibility in our stores — making care truly inclusive.

ENSURE AN ENERGIZED AND EXCELLENT WORKFORCE

Our people are key to our sustainability efforts and to the success of nexeye and its labels. In 2024, our workforce grew by 15%, driven by our ongoing expansion and commitment to building a motivated, skilled, and diverse team. We invest in development through the nexeye Academy, offering education and career opportunities to address industry-wide talent shortages and help colleagues reach their full potential. We believe diversity and inclusion are essential to our values and success.

In 2024, we signed the Diversity Charter in Germany, Austria, and Sweden, reinforcing our commitment to a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. To ensure a safe and supportive environment, we introduced several governance policies, like anti-discrimination and harassment policies. By fostering a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing workplace, we empower our people to thrive and contribute to our mission every day.

MAKE OUR MERCHANDISE MORE SUSTAINABLE

We are committed to reducing the environmental and social impact of our products throughout the value chain. By working with suppliers who prioritize human rights, circularity and emissions reduction, we help promote more responsible industry practices. In 2024, we expanded our Supplier Code of Conduct and updated internal policies to reflect our values. We strengthened our audit program with more unannounced on-site visits, now also covering accessories and lenses in non-OECD countries — bringing ESG audit coverage to 94% of our merchandise suppliers.

We also launched a Life Cycle Analysis to assess and improve the environmental impact of our materials and production methods.  Initiatives like our Ciircle circular eyewear collection reduce emissions by 35% compared to products made with virgin materials. By combining clear standards, supplier engagement and data-driven insights, we continue building a cleaner, fairer supply chain, where sustainability and human rights are embedded in every step.

MAKE OUR OPERATIONS MORE SUSTAINABLE

We recognize that delivering quality eye and hearing care comes with environmental impact. That’s why we continuously seek smarter, more sustainable solutions that reduce our footprint and boost efficiency. Our focus is on reducing waste and CO₂ emissions across all operations, from stores and offices to warehouses and transport. In 2024, we improved waste sorting in the Netherlands and Belgium, turning collected materials like paper, plastics, demo lenses and batteries into new raw materials.

We also advanced the use of solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicles, and optimized logistics with nighttime deliveries to reduce emissions. These efforts reflect our commitment to a cleaner, more responsible future, where sustainability is part of everything we do. For detailed data about our emissions, see our Sustainability Ambition Report 2024, on page 36.

Corporate governance

We prioritize integrity, transparency, and accountability. If you have concerns about unethical behavior or human rights violations, you can report them confidentially.